Original reading apparatus

ABSTRACT

An original reading apparatus includes: a reading unit configured to read an original placed on a platen while moving in a predetermined direction in a housing; a sensor provided in the housing and configured to detect presence of the original in a predetermined position on the platen to identify a size of the original; a holding member movable in the housing and configured to hold the sensor and a cable extending from the sensor; and a cover configured to cover a predetermined space on a rear side of the platen mounted to the housing. A grip portion used by an operator to move the holding member is provided at one end of the holding member extending to the predetermined space through an opening portion in a wall on a rear side of the housing. When the cover is removed, the operator is allowed to grip the grip portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of International Patent ApplicationNo. PCT/JP2018/047013, filed Dec. 20, 2018, which claims the benefit ofJapanese Patent Application No. 2017-248451, filed Dec. 25, 2017, bothof which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an original reading apparatusconfigured to read an image of an original placed on an original platen.

Description of the Related Art

Hitherto, original reading apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as“image reading apparatus”) have been configured to read an image of anoriginal placed on an original platen glass. FIG. 14 is a perspectiveview for illustrating a related-art image reading apparatus 80. Theimage reading apparatus 80 includes a transparent original platen glass801 on which an original is to be placed, and a scanning unit 802 thatis movable in a movement direction MD under the original platen glass801. In general, the image reading apparatus 80 is configured toautomatically detect a size of an original placed on the original platenglass 801. Size standards of an original include standards of A series,B series, and inch series. The image reading apparatus 80 includes aplurality of reflective optical sensors 811 and 812 arranged on a mainbody frame 804 below the original platen glass 801 so as to read evenoriginals having sizes of different size standards (Japanese Patent No.5676188).

However, the provision of the plurality of reflective optical sensors811 and 812 in the image reading apparatus 80 leads to a problem of highcost. To address the problem, when a ship-to destination of the imagereading apparatus 80 has already been determined, one reflective opticalsensor is provided at a position determined in accordance with a sizestandard of an original required at the ship-to destination, to therebysave cost. Meanwhile, in some cases, a user may use the image readingapparatus 80 to read an original having a size of a standard other thanthe standard required at the ship-to destination. In this case, there isa risk in that the image reading apparatus 80 fails to accurately detectthe size of the original, and then automatically selects a sheet of asize unsuitable for formation of the read image. As a result, thefollowing problem arises: a part of the image to be formed on the sheetis missing, or the image is formed on a sheet larger than needed. Inorder to solve this problem, it is required to install additionalreflective optical sensors or change a position to arrange thereflective optical sensor.

However, in a case of installing additional reflective optical sensorsor changing a position to arrange the reflective optical sensor, a staffmember in a service department is required to travel on business to theship-to destination and remove the original platen glass 801 from theimage reading apparatus 80 to perform operation. This leads to a problemof travel expense for the staff member in the service department.Further, removing the original platen glass 801 from the image readingapparatus 80 to perform the operation involves operations of removingand mounting other related components, which results in a problem ofincreasing an operation time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to allowa sensor, which is provided in a housing and is configured to detectpresence or absence of an original in a predetermined position on anoriginal platen to identify a size of an original, to be easily arrangedin another position.

An original reading apparatus according to one embodiment of the presentinvention, comprises:

an original platen on which an original is to be placed;

a reading unit configured to read the original placed on the originalplaten while moving in a predetermined direction in a housing;

a sensor, which is provided in the housing, and is configured to detectpresence or absence of the original in a predetermined position on theoriginal platen to identify a size of the original;

a holding member configured to hold the sensor and a cable extendingfrom the sensor; and

a cover configured to cover a predetermined space on a rear side of theoriginal platen,

wherein the original platen is mounted to the housing,

the holding member is movable in the housing,

a grip portion used by an operator to move the holding member isprovided at one end of the holding member, the one end extending to thepredetermined space through an opening portion in a wall on a rear sideof the housing,

the predetermined space is located on a rear side of the wall,

when the cover is removed, the operator is allowed to grip the gripportion, and the cable extends from the one end of the holding member tothe predetermined space.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view for illustrating an image readingapparatus of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a sectional view for illustrating the image reading apparatusof the first embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view for illustrating a reflective opticalsensor provided in the image reading apparatus of the first embodiment.

FIG. 2B is a plan view for illustrating the reflective optical sensorprovided in the image reading apparatus of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view for illustrating a holding member providedin an image reading apparatus of a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a view for illustrating side walls of a main body frame in amodification example of the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view for illustrating an image readingapparatus of a modification example of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view for illustrating a plurality of sizedetectors provided in an image reading apparatus of a modificationexample of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view for illustrating an image readingapparatus of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a back view for illustrating the image reading apparatus ofthe third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view for illustrating the image reading apparatus of thethird embodiment in a case in which a scanning unit is located on adownstream side in a movement direction.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view for illustrating a holding member providedin the image reading apparatus of the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view for illustrating the holding memberprovided in the image reading apparatus of the third embodiment.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view for illustrating the holding member and asubstrate in the third embodiment.

FIG. 11B is a top view for illustrating the holding member and thesubstrate in the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view for illustrating the holding memberprovided in the image reading apparatus of the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view for illustrating the holding member provided inthe image reading apparatus of the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view for illustrating a related-art imagereading apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

(Image Reading Apparatus)

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are views for illustrating an original readingapparatus (hereinafter referred to as “image reading apparatus”) 10according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The imagereading apparatus 10 can be used alone as an image scanner, but may beincorporated in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine ora multifunction printer. FIG. 1A is a perspective view for illustratingthe image reading apparatus 10. FIG. 1B is a sectional view forillustrating the image reading apparatus 10. The image reading apparatus10 includes a platen glass (hereinafter referred to as “original platenglass”) 201, a reading unit (hereinafter referred to as “scanning unit”)202, and a driving device (hereinafter referred to as “motor”) 203. Asillustrated in FIG. 1B, an original 200 is placed on the original platenglass 201. The scanning unit 202 is provided below the original platenglass 201. The motor 203 is configured to move the scanning unit 202 ina sub-scanning direction (hereinafter referred to as “movementdirection”) MD through use of a belt 207. The scanning unit 202 isconfigured to read an image of the original 200 placed on the originalplaten glass 201 while being moved by the motor 203 in the movementdirection (predetermined direction) MD. The original placed on theoriginal platen glass 201 is pressed against the original platen glass201 by a pressure plate (not shown).

The scanning unit 202 is a reading unit of a reduction-type opticalsystem including a light source 208, a plurality of reflecting mirrors209, a lens 210, and an image pickup element (hereinafter referred to as“image sensor”) 211. The light source 208 being an illumination unit isconfigured to irradiate the original 200 placed on the original platenglass 201 with light. The plurality of reflecting mirrors 209 areconfigured to guide reflected light from the original 200 to the lens210. The lens 210 is configured to focus the reflected light to form animage on the image sensor 211. The image sensor 211 includes a CCD or aCMOS. The image sensor 211 is configured to output an electric signal inaccordance with an amount of received light. A CPU 250 being a controlunit is configured to generate image data based on the electric signaloutput from the image sensor 211. The scanning unit 202 is not limitedto the reading device of the reduction-type optical system and may be areading device of a contact-type optical system (contact image sensor).For example, the scanning unit 202 may include a line image sensorextending in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the movementdirection MD.

In the image reading apparatus 10, there is provided one reflectiveoptical sensor 100 being a size detector (size detection sensor)configured to detect a size of the original 200 placed on the originalplaten glass 201. The reflective optical sensor 100 is held by a holdingmember 101. The holding member 101 is mounted to a housing (hereinafterreferred to as “main body frame”) 204 of the image reading apparatus 10.The original platen glass 201 is mounted to the main body frame 204 soas to cover an opening 204 d at a top portion 204 t of the main bodyframe 204.

On a rear side of the main body frame 204, there is mounted a substratehaving mounted thereon electronic components for controlling the imagesensor 211, the reflective optical sensor 100, and other components.Further, a cover is mounted so as to cover a space including a substrateportion. The cover may be formed of a single member or a plurality ofmembers.

With this structure, the scanning unit 202 moves inside the housinghaving a bottom portion 204 b of the main body frame 204 and a pluralityof side walls provided upright on the bottom portion 204 b (FIG. 2B). Aside wall 204 a (FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B) of the plurality of side walls islocated on the rear side of the housing. In this specification, a sideon which the cover is provided in the main scanning direction is definedas “rear side”, and an opposite side thereof is defined as “front side”.

(Reflective Optical Sensor)

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are views for illustrating the reflective opticalsensor 100 provided in the image reading apparatus 10 of the firstembodiment. FIG. 2A is a perspective view for illustrating thereflective optical sensor 100 provided in the image reading apparatus 10of the first embodiment. FIG. 2B is a plan view for illustrating thereflective optical sensor 100 provided in the image reading apparatus 10of the first embodiment. The reflective optical sensor 100 isaccommodated in the main body frame 204 of the image reading apparatus10. The reflective optical sensor 100 includes a light emitting portion121 and a light receiving portion 122. The light emitting portion 121 isconfigured to emit an infrared light beam. The light receiving portion122 is configured to receive the infrared light beam reflected by theoriginal 200. The reflective optical sensor 100 uses the light emittingportion 121 to emit an infrared light beam, and uses the light receivingportion 122 to receive reflected light from the original 200 placed onthe original platen glass 201. The reflective optical sensor 100 isconfigured to detect the presence or absence of the original 200 in apredetermined position being a target measurement position, inaccordance with an amount of light received by the light receivingportion 122. The CPU 250 is configured to detect a size of the original200 based on a result of the detection as to the presence or absence ofthe original 200 by the reflective optical sensor 100.

A size of the original 200 in the main scanning direction is determinedbased on an image signal output from the image sensor 211. Then, a sizeof the original is determined based on the size in the main scanningdirection and a result of the detection by the reflective optical sensor100.

(Holding Member)

The holding member 101 is formed of a sheet metal material. When theposition of the reflective optical sensor 100 is to be adjusted, theholding member 101 can be moved in the movement direction MD by beingoperated from outside the main body frame 204. The holding member 101 isconfigured to secure the reflective optical sensor 100 adjusted to apredetermined position. The holding member 101 extends in a direction EDcrossing the movement direction MD of the scanning unit 202. One endportion of the holding member 101 extends to an outside of the main bodyframe 204 through an opening portion 204 c formed in the side wall 204 aof the main body frame 204. At the one end portion of the holding member101, a grip portion 102 is provided as an exposed portion that isexposed to the outside of the main body frame 204. As illustrated inFIG. 2B, the holding member 101 has a rotary shaft 103 held on thebottom portion 204 b of the main body frame 204. The holding member 101is rotatable about the rotary shaft 103. A user, or an operator, cangrip the grip portion 102 of the holding member 101 to rotate theholding member 101 about the rotary shaft 103 in a direction indicatedby the arrow of FIG. 2B, to thereby change the position of thereflective optical sensor 100. After fine adjustment of the reflectiveoptical sensor 100 to a set position, the holding member 101 may befixed by any suitable fixing member. The reflective optical sensor 100is secured in the set position.

In general, size standards of the original 200 are roughly classified inaccordance with countries (regions). In Japan, size standards of Aseries and B series are applied. In Europe, the size standard of Aseries is mainly applied. In North America, a size standard of inchseries, for example, a letter size or a legal size is mainly applied.For example, when the reflective optical sensor 100 is placed in aposition for detecting the original 200 of the size standard of A seriesin accordance with specifications at a ship-to destination of the imagereading apparatus 10, the image reading apparatus 10 has difficulty inaccurately detecting a size of the original of the standard of inchseries. According to the first embodiment, however, in a case in whichoriginals of the standard of inch series are mainly applied in the imagereading apparatus 10, the user can grip the grip portion 102 of theholding member 101 to change the position of the reflective opticalsensor 100 relative to the main body frame 204. With this structure, theimage reading apparatus 10 can accurately detect the size of an originalof the standard of inch series. The image reading apparatus 10 is onlyrequired to include one reflective optical sensor 100, and hence costcan be saved. Further, it is possible to change the position of thereflective optical sensor 100 without removing the original platen glass201 from the image reading apparatus 10. Therefore, an operation timefor changing the position of the reflective optical sensor 100 isshortened, thereby improving maintainability. According to the firstembodiment, it is possible to save cost of the image reading apparatus10 and also improve the maintainability.

Second Embodiment

With reference to FIG. 3, a second embodiment of the present inventionis described below. In the second embodiment, the same structures asthose of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference symbols,and descriptions thereof are omitted. An image reading apparatus 20 ofthe second embodiment has substantially the same structure as that ofthe image reading apparatus 10 of the first embodiment except a holdingmember 111 described below, and hence a description thereof is omitted.The reflective optical sensor 100 of the second embodiment hassubstantially the same structure as that of the first embodiment, andhence a description thereof is omitted.

(Holding Member)

FIG. 3 is a perspective view for illustrating the holding member 111provided in the image reading apparatus 20 of the second embodiment. Theholding member 111 is formed of a sheet metal material. The holdingmember 111 is provided so as to be movable in parallel to the movementdirection MD of the scanning unit 202 relative to a bottom portion 214 bof a main body frame 214 in the image reading apparatus 20 while holdingthe reflective optical sensor 100. The holding member 111 extends in thedirection ED crossing the movement direction MD of the scanning unit202. One end portion of the holding member 111 extends to an outside ofthe main body frame 214 through an opening portion 214 c formed in aside wall 214 a of the main body frame 214. At the one end portion ofthe holding member 111, a grip portion 112 extending to the outside ofthe main body frame 214 is provided. The grip portion 112 has a surfaceportion that is bent perpendicularly to the holding member 111 to facethe side wall 214 a of the main body frame 214. The grip portion 112 hasa through hole 105. On the other hand, the main body frame 214 has aplurality of screw holes 104 being a plurality of fixing portions. Theplurality of screw holes 104 are formed side by side along the movementdirection MD of the scanning unit 202.

The reflective optical sensor 100 is moved in accordance with a desiredsize standard, and the through hole 105 of the grip portion 112 isaligned with a corresponding screw hole 104, and then a screw 106 isscrewed into the screw hole 104 through the through hole 105. With thesurface portion of the grip portion 112 being fixed to the side wall 214a of the main body frame 214 with the screw 106, the reflective opticalsensor 100 is secured in a position corresponding to the desired sizestandard. Through an operation of changing the screw hole 104 for fixingthe grip portion 112, the position of the reflective optical sensor 100can be easily changed. The reflective optical sensor 100 is securedaccurately in a desired position with respect to the main body frame 214in the movement direction MD being a sub-scanning direction.

In the second embodiment, the screw 106 and the plurality of screw holes104 are used as the fixing portions for fixing the holding member 111 ina position corresponding to a desired size standard. However, the fixingportions are not limited thereto, and a plurality of fixing portions tobe engaged with the grip portion 112 may be provided in the main bodyframe 214 so that the grip portion 112 is snap-fit to any fixing portiondue to its elasticity.

According to the second embodiment, it is possible to align the throughhole 105 formed in the grip portion 112 of the holding member 111 forholding the reflective optical sensor 100 with any one of the pluralityof screw holes 104 formed in the main body frame 214 in accordance witha size standard, and then fix the holding member 111 with the screw 106.Accordingly, it is possible to easily perform the positional alignmentfor the reflective optical sensor 100 in accordance with a sizestandard. According to the second embodiment, it is possible to savecost of the image reading apparatus 20 and also improve maintainability.

With reference to FIG. 4, a modification example of the secondembodiment is described below. FIG. 4 is a view for illustrating theside wall 214 a of the main body frame 214 in an image reading apparatus30 of the modification example of the second embodiment. In thevicinities of the plurality of screw holes 104 formed in the side wall214 a, an indication “A” 107 a indicating the size standard of A series,an indication “B” 107 b indicating the size standard of B series, and anindication “IN” 107 c indicating the standard of inch series areprovided. Thus, a user can easily set the reflective optical sensor 100to a position corresponding to a desired size standard.

In the mode illustrated in FIG. 4, there are formed, in the vicinitiesof the plurality of screw holes 104, the indications 107 given in aprinted or impressed form indicating size standards of an originalcorresponding to the plurality of screw holes 104, respectively. Thus,the user can easily move the reflective optical sensor 100 to a positioncorresponding to a desired size standard. According to the modificationexample of the second embodiment, it is possible to save cost of theimage reading apparatus 30 and also improve maintainability.

(Maintenance Cover)

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view for illustrating an image readingapparatus 40. The image reading apparatus 40 includes an exterior cover205 and a maintenance cover 206 provided separately from the exteriorcover 205. The exterior cover 205 has an opening 205 a for allowingaccess to the grip portion 112 of the holding member 111. Themaintenance cover 206 is mounted to the exterior cover 205 so as tocover the opening 205 a of the exterior cover 205. The maintenance cover206 can open and close the opening 205 a of the exterior cover 205. Themaintenance cover 206 may be removably mounted to the exterior cover205. Through an operation of opening the maintenance cover 206, the usercan grip the grip portion 112 of the holding member 111 without removingthe original platen glass 201 from the image reading apparatus 40. Theuser can grip the grip portion 112 to move the reflective optical sensor100 to a position corresponding to a desired size standard. That is, itis possible to improve maintainability through changing the position ofthe reflective optical sensor 100 by the user.

With reference to FIG. 6, a modification example of the secondembodiment is described below. A description of the same structure asthat of the second embodiment is omitted. FIG. 6 is a perspective viewfor illustrating a plurality of size detectors 108 provided in an imagereading apparatus 50. Some users desire to enable accurate detection oforiginal sizes of both the size standards of A series and inch series(in a non-exclusive manner). In this case, a plurality of reflectiveoptical sensors 100 are provided. In the second embodiment, an insertionport 109 is formed to communicate with an opening portion 244 c formedin a side wall 244 a of a main body frame 244 in the image readingapparatus 50. Each size detector 108 including the reflective opticalsensor 100 and the holding member 101 which are integrated with eachother is inserted into the main body frame 244 through the insertionport 109. Each reflective optical sensor 100 is placed inside the mainbody frame 244. The grip portion 102 of the holding member 101 extendsto an outside of the main body frame 244 through the opening portion 244c. Each size detector 108 can be placed inside the image readingapparatus 50 through the insertion port 109 without removing theoriginal platen glass 201 from the image reading apparatus 50, and henceit is possible to easily install additional reflective optical sensors100.

Third Embodiment

With reference to FIG. 7A to FIG. 13, a third embodiment of the presentinvention is described below. In the third embodiment, the samestructures as those of the first and second embodiments are denoted bythe same reference symbols, and descriptions thereof are omitted.Further, a reflective optical sensor 300 of the third embodiment hassubstantially the same structure as the reflective optical sensor 100 ofthe first embodiment, and hence a description thereof is omitted.

On a rear side of a main body frame 314, there is mounted a substrate403 (FIG. 9) having mounted thereon electronic components forcontrolling the image sensor 211, a reflective optical sensor 300, andother components. Further, a cover is mounted so as to cover a spaceincluding a substrate portion. The cover may be formed of a singlemember or a plurality of members. In this embodiment, the cover includesa plurality of covers inclusive of the maintenance cover 206 (FIG. 7A).With this structure, the scanning unit 202 moves inside a housing havinga bottom portion 314 b of the main body frame 314 and a plurality ofside walls provided upright on the bottom portion 314 b. A side wall 314a (FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B) of the plurality of side walls is located on therear side of the housing. A side on which the cover is provided in themain scanning direction is defined as “rear side”, and an opposite sidethereof is defined as “front side”.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view for illustrating an image readingapparatus 60 of the third embodiment. The scanning unit 202 is locatedon an upstream side in the movement direction MD. FIG. 8 is a view forillustrating the image reading apparatus 60 in a case in which thescanning unit 202 is located on a downstream side in the movementdirection MD. The scanning unit is movable in the movement directioninside the housing. A flat cable 330 is connected to the scanning unit202 and to the substrate 403 (see FIG. 9) provided on the rear side ofthe image reading apparatus. The flat cable 330 is configured totransmit a control signal for controlling the scanning unit 202 and animage signal output from the image sensor 211. FIG. 7B is a back viewfor illustrating the image reading apparatus 60 in a state in which themaintenance cover 206 is removed.

With reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, a holding member 301 mounted tothe image reading apparatus 60 is described. FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B areviews for illustrating a relationship among the reflective opticalsensor 300, the holding member 301, a guide member 402, and a connector401 on the substrate 403.

The holding member 301 is a member integrally molded from a resin. Atone end portion of the holding member 301, the reflective optical sensor300 is held. The reflective optical sensor 300 is held by the holdingmember 301 such that a light emitting portion and a light receivingportion are arranged side by side in the movement direction MD. Theother end portion of the holding member 301 extends to an outside of themain body frame 314 through an opening portion 314 c (FIG. 7B) formed inthe side wall 314 a of the main body frame 314. On the bottom portion314 b being a bottom surface of the main body frame 314 in the imagereading apparatus 60, the resin-made guide member 402 is mounted. Theholding member 301 is allowed to move in the movement direction MD onthe bottom portion 314 b of the main body frame 314 along the guidemember 402 while holding the reflective optical sensor 300.

At the other end portion of the holding member 301, a grip portion 302(FIG. 11A) is provided, which can be gripped by a user, or an operator,to move the holding member 301 in the movement direction MD. The gripportion 302 has protrusions and recesses which allows the user to easilygrip the grip portion. The other end portion of the holding member 301,at which the grip portion 302 is provided, extends to a predeterminedspace SP on the rear side of the housing (FIG. 10). As illustrated inFIG. 7B, under a state in which the maintenance cover 206 is removed,the user can grip the grip portion 302. That is, the use can move thereflective optical sensor 300 to another position without removing theoriginal platen glass 201.

The bottom portion 314 b has a mark 451 indicating a position (firstposition) for identifying the size standards of A series and B series(first size standard) and a mark 452 indicating a position (secondposition) for identifying the standard of inch series (second sizestandard) (FIG. 9). The original platen glass 201 is transparent, andhence the user can visually recognize the marks 451 and 452 formed onthe bottom portion 314 b with ease. FIG. 9 is an illustration of a statein which the reflective optical sensor 300 is located at the positionfor identifying the size standards of A series and B series. FIG. 10 isan illustration of a state in which the reflective optical sensor 300 islocated at the position for identifying the standard of inch series.FIG. 12 is a view for illustrating a state in which the reflectiveoptical sensor 300 is located at the same position as in FIG. 9, asviewed from the rear side.

The user can grip the grip portion 302 to move the holding member 301 tothe position of the mark 451 or 452 corresponding to a target sizestandard for identification, to thereby easily set the reflectiveoptical sensor 300 to a position corresponding to a desired sizestandard.

The connector 401 mounted to the end portion of the cable 400 of thereflective optical sensor 300 is mounted to the substrate 403. FIG. 13is a bottom view for illustrating the holding member 301 to which thereflective optical sensor 300 and the cable 400 are mounted. The cable400 is held inside the holding member 301 by claws 320, 321, 322, 323and 324 being a plurality of guide portions provided on a lower surfaceof the holding member 301, that is, the bottom surface side of thehousing at the holding member 301. With the holding member 301 holdingthe cable 400 therein as described above, the cable 400 can be alsomoved along with the movement of the holding member 301. Further, thefollowing situation can be avoided: the cable 400 is brought intocontact with the bottom portion 314 b to hinder smooth movement of theholding member 301.

Further, the holding member 301 has an inclined portion 303 (FIG. 9 andFIG. 10). The inclined portion 303 is located at the most upstreamposition of the holding member 301 inside the housing. Further, asillustrated in FIG. 12, the reflective optical sensor 300 is at thehighest portion of portions of the holding member 301 along the bottomportion 314 b. Accordingly, there is a risk in that, when the scanningunit 202 is moved from the upstream side to the downstream side, theflat cable 330 (FIG. 8) is brought into contact with the reflectiveoptical sensor 300. To address the risk, in this embodiment, thereflective optical sensor 300 has an inclined portion at its upstreamportion in the movement direction MD so that movement of the flat cable330 is less liable to be hindered.

In the first embodiment to the third embodiment described above, theimage reading apparatus 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 in which the scanningunit 202 as illustrated in FIG. 1B moves in the movement direction MDare adopted. It is also possible to adopt an image reading apparatus inwhich the image sensor 211 is secured in a predetermined position in thehousing, and the light source 208 and the reflecting mirror 209 aremoved, instead of the scanning unit 202.

According to the embodiments, a sensor, which is provided in a housingand is configured to detect presence or absence of an original in apredetermined position on an original platen to identify a size of anoriginal, may be easily arranged in another position.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

What is claimed is:
 1. An original reading apparatus, comprising: anoriginal platen on which an original is to be placed; a reading unitconfigured to read the original placed on the original platen whilemoving in a predetermined direction in a housing, the original platenbeing mounted to the housing; a sensor, which is provided in thehousing, and is configured to detect presence or absence of the originalon the original platen to identify a size of the original; and a holdingmember configured to hold the sensor and a cable extending from thesensor, the holding member being movable in the housing in thepredetermined direction, and the holding member being movable to a firstposition for identifying a first size standard and to a second positionfor identifying a second size standard, wherein a grip portion used byan operator to move the holding member in the predetermined direction isprovided at one end of the holding member, the one end extending to apredetermined space through an opening portion in a wall on a rear sideof the housing, the predetermined space being located on a rear side ofthe wall and a rear side of the original platen, the predetermined spacebeing covered by a cover member, wherein when the cover member isremoved, the grip portion is exposed, and wherein the cable extends fromthe one end of the holding member to the predetermined space.
 2. Theoriginal reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing hasa mark indicating the first position and a mark indicating the secondposition.
 3. The original reading apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising a guide member provided at a bottom surface of thehousing and configured to guide movement of the holding member in thepredetermined direction.
 4. The original reading apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the holding member includes a plurality of guideportions configured to hold the cable inside the holding member andguide the cable from the sensor to the predetermined space.
 5. Theoriginal reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the pluralityof guide portions are provided on a bottom surface side of the housingat the holding member.
 6. The original reading apparatus according toclaim 4, wherein the holding member is a member integrally molded from aresin.
 7. The original reading apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe holding member is configured to hold the sensor at an other end. 8.The original reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holdingmember is provided along the wall and a bottom surface of the housing.9. An original reading apparatus, comprising: an original platen onwhich an original is to be placed; an illumination unit configured toirradiate the original placed on the original platen with light whilemoving in a predetermined direction in a housing, the original platenbeing mounted to the housing; an image sensor configured to read theoriginal; a size detection sensor, which is provided in the housing, andis configured to detect presence or absence of the original on theoriginal platen to identify a size of the original; and a holding memberconfigured to hold the size detection sensor and a cable extending fromthe size detection sensor, the holding member being movable in thehousing in the predetermined direction, and the holding member beingmovable to a first position for identifying a first size standard and toa second position for identifying a second size standard, wherein a gripportion used by an operator to move the holding member in thepredetermined direction is provided at one end of the holding member,the one end extending to a predetermined space through an openingportion in a wall on a rear side of the housing, the predetermined spacebeing located on a rear side of the wall and a rear side of the originalplaten, the predetermined space being covered by a cover member, whereinwhen the cover member is removed, the grip portion is exposed, andwherein the cable extends from the one end of the holding member to thepredetermined space.
 10. The original reading apparatus according toclaim 9, further comprising a guide member provided at a bottom surfaceof the housing and configured to guide movement of the holding member inthe predetermined direction.
 11. The original reading apparatusaccording to claim 9, wherein the holding member is provided along thewall and a bottom surface of the housing.